"Writing is a skill, not a talent, and thus one's ability as a writer can be improved by thoughtful effort. The problem with some people is that they graduate college as good writers, experience early success on account of that, and thus never devote themselves diligently to the relentless quest for improvement that could make them great writers."

But, as I pointed out, DijonGate drove more than 100K visits Thursday and Friday for Professor Jacobson -- nearly an average month's worth of traffic in just two days -- mainly because the Left has gone wacko over this story. And they won't let it go.

Today, Pandagon's Jesse Taylor is back at it, arguing whether a $7 hamburger is a typical American lunch. Look, Jesse: I can get a junior cheeseburger, fries and a soft drink at Sheetz for about $4, total. But it's not about the burger price. It's not about the burger or the condiments or anything else.

It's about the fact that NBC News was afraid to let its viewers hear Barack Obama say "Dijon mustard," like he'd asked for a side order of Beluga caviar or something. As with their "reporting" on the economy, it's about elite journalism's obsession with safeguarding Obama's image.

Obama and Biden's trip to Ray’s Hell-Burger in Arlington is remarkably reminiscent of Kerry and Edwards’ campaign photo-op at an New York State Wendy's. Mark Steyn's August 2004 Telegraph article is the definitive take on that classic faux-populist debacle. Much like the dangers of being photographed while wearing silly hats on the campaign trail, perhaps elitist politicians might want to think twice before slumming it at the local fast-food joint.

In this media environment it's easier than ever to point at the man behind the curtain, especially when the curtain isn't even hanging anymore.

What we are seeing on the Left is a fanatical devotion to the Politics of Perception. It doesn't matter that millions of Americans -- including lots of us who didn't vote for Obama -- share his preference for a burger topping that is neither exotic nor particularly expensive.

Dijon mustard can be purchased at any Safeway or Food Lion at a cost only modestly higher than the plain yellow variety. And, as Jesse Taylor accurately points out, lots of Ordinary Americans eat at Applebee's -- or TGI Friday's or similar chain restaurances -- where the appetizers are $7 and the entrees are $15 or more.

However, as regards DijonGate, none of this does matters. We've gone from DijonGate to Dijongeddon because what matters, at least in the minds of TV news producers and left-wing bloggers, is the careful maintenance of Obama's positive image.

The same is true of their reporting on the economy, where the question for elite journalists is not how many Americans are losing their jobs, but rather if Obama will be blamed for the job losses. We await the headline in the entertainment section of the New York Times:

Is everything political now? Is news only relevant insofar as it causes people to vote Republican or Democrat? Will we soon see the TV weatherman telling us how the latest high-pressure system in the Midwest affects Obama's popularity? Will ESPN discuss the political impact of the Cardinals-Mets game?

The Honorable Barack H. ObamaPresident of the United States1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20006Dear Mr. President:We applaud you, Mr. President, for exercising your freedom of taste when recently ordering a burger with Dijon mustard. We're always happy to see people use Dijon mustard to add flair and flavor to their favorite foods. The right to choose condiments freely is quintessentially American and embodies the spirit of our democracy.So we urge you to respond to "Dijon-gate" by issuing a "pardon" to any American who has ever been criticized for putting a liberal spread of Dijon mustard on a burger or a conservative dollop on a ham & cheese sandwich. These "Pardon Me for Loving Dijon" proclamations will empower the millions of Dijon mustard-loving Americans to ask for their favorite condiment with pride.Respectfully yours,The GREY POUPON Team

5 comments:

Yeah, nice try RS.It is the Left that won't let go of this.The Left LOVES this!Practically every assertion you've made against the Left in the "Dijon" posts is laughable and ,frankly, the kind of "sunshine-where the sun don't shine" drivel meant to raise the spirits and morale of a decimated ideology.If blog traffic has improved due to your Dijon induced conspiracy delusions, it is because this is the kind of easy pickins debate we can engage in without breaking a sweat: picture the long-armed boy with hand upon the forehead of the wimp flailing wildly. That would be you guys....This is nothing more than "Freedom Fries" redux.And we all know how well that worked out for you guys....

Yep, wrong again, T.O. McCain. You are out of touch with the American people.

The last time I loaded up a small motorcade with insignificant staff and closed a couple of major arteries to regular traffic to enjoy the experience of a local greasy spoon, the dozen or so reporters and videographers failed to edit out the fact that I said, "Hold the pickles," when ordering my burger.

I'm finished in this town and perhaps the whole state of Wisconsin. I can't even image what would have happened if I had asked for Dijon mustard or worse... hold the cheese.

Hit the tip jar, you ungrateful bastards!

Understand Liberalism

"When R.S. McCain talks about gonzo journalism, he knows what he’s talking about."-- Chapomatic"You are reading Robert every day, aren’t you? If you aren’t, you’re missing out, folks. The guy brings the good stuff every day."-- Jimmie, The Sundries Shack

". . . the one-of-a-kind Robert Stacy McCain, whose blog should be on your must-read list, if it isn't already."-- Dyspeptic Mutterings

"The most enthusiastic blogger I have yet to meet."-- Pam Geller, Atlas Shrugs

"The guy has to be the hardest working dude in DC. I've yet to meet someone here he doesn't know."-- Dan Riehl, Riehl World View

"One of the most important conservative writers working today."--Donald Douglas"For what it's worth, the man can also hold his liquor better than most; that's probably how he gets his scoops."-- Little Miss Atilla